Dicke Superradiance in Extended 2D Quantum Arrays Coupled to Metasurface Bound States in the Continuum

TL;DR

This paper proposes using dielectric metasurfaces supporting bound states in the continuum to induce superradiance in extended 2D quantum arrays, enabling cooperative emission over larger distances than previously possible.

Contribution

It introduces a novel platform leveraging BIC modes in metasurfaces to achieve superradiance in extended quantum arrays, surpassing traditional subwavelength limitations.

Findings

BIC modes enable emitter interactions over several wavelengths.

Reaching the Dicke limit depends on the coupling efficiency to the BIC mode.

The proposed system is robust against experimental imperfections.

Abstract

Dicke superradiance is a collective phenomenon where the emission from ensembles of quantum emitters is coherently enhanced beyond the sum of each emitter's independent emission. Here, we propose a platform that exploits the delocalised nature of a high-Q, non-local mode supported by a dielectric metasurface (a so-called bound-state-in-the-continuum or BIC) to induce superradiant behaviour within an extended two-dimensional array of distant quantum emitters. We show that these BIC-mediated emitter interactions can span several wavelengths, thus overcoming the traditional subwavelength separation between emitters required in free space. We further show that reaching the idealised Dicke limit is possible in this system, provided that the emitters are coupled to the BIC mode efficiently enough, as quantified through the $\beta$-factor. Moreover, we demonstrate its experimental viability by analysing its robustness to realistic experimental imperfections. This work puts forward optical metasurfaces supporting BICs as a physically viable platform for realising the upper limits of cooperative emission in physically extended quantum emitter arrays.